Product Features

Olympus OMD EM5 Body only

ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER

A Viewfinder with Creative Control that Immerses You in Your Photos

Enter the world of the viewfinder for complete control of your photos and total immersion in the shots you take. With high definition of 1.44 million pixels, an approx. 100% field of view, and a maximum magnification of 1.15x, the viewfinder shows the scenes you want to capture exactly the way they appear. All functions needed to create a photo can be checked and set through the viewfinder, including highlight & shadow control, for adjusting gradation of brighter and darker areas to your exact taste, white balance control, enabling creative control over a scene, as well as aspect ratio change. The OM-D offers a built-in magnified frame AF function enabling accurate focusing with the subject magnified. Thanks to the eye sensor, the system switches the view from the back monitor to the viewfinder automatically when you look into it. The viewfinder provides a natural image for full creative control and excellent visibility in bright sunlight in comparison to the back monitor. It also offers an interface displaying key information in an easily understandable way as well as the limitless ease of use that can only be offered by an electronic viewfinder. Frame your shot, make settings quickly with the dials and view the world through the viewfinder in your quest for the perfect photo. To look into this viewfinder is to look into the world of the photograph. This is the concept behind the new OM-D viewfinder.

Highlight & shadow control

Control highlights and shadows while looking into the viewfinder. Because settings can be applied while viewing the effect in real-time, bright and dark details can bequickly and easily adjusted. Control of highlights and shadows can each be set in 7 steps.

White balance control

White balance control is an essential feature for creating the photos you desire. You can produce the exact effects you want by setting the white balance according to your own tastes without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.

Magnification control

The OM-D can display magnified subjects so that you can more accurately control the focus. The available zoom magnifications are 5x, 7x, 10x, and 14x. This feature can be assigned to the Fn2 button to let you switch instantaneously between magnified and normal images, meaning that you can focus precisely on the subject as well as check the overall photo composition without taking your eye away from the camera.

Aspect Ratio Change

While looking into the viewfinder, the user can change the photo aspect ratio to match the desired image. Five aspect ratio options are available: a basic 4:3 aspect, a movie-like 16:9 aspect, a square 1:1 aspect, the same 3:2 aspect as used by 35 mm film cameras, and a 3:4 aspect that allows a vertical shot without having to turn the camera.

HIGH QUALITY IMAGE

The Most Visually Stunning Supported by Three Technologies

Introducing a new standard that will redefine the concept of high image quality for digital interchangeable lens cameras. Three elements provide this image quality: the lens, the image sensor and the image processor. M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are optimized for digital photography while still inheriting the superior optical performance of ZUIKO lenses. The new 16M Live MOS sensor boasts 16,050,000 pixels, high sensitivity and high dynamic range, while the TruePic VI image processor accurately reproduces saturation and contrast to maximize lens and image sensor performance. Thanks to this combination of cutting edge technologies, the OM-D offers unparalleled definition and the highest image quality in the history of OLYMPUS. Fine details even in shadows, precision high definition, rich gradation and true-to-life color reproduction allow the world to be captured vividly through the lens, enabling the OM-D to render the user's inspiration in all situations. This quantum leap in image quality marks a new era in the history of interchangeable lens cameras.

16M new Live MOS sensor

The new 16-megapixel image sensor delivers even higher definition and even greater dynamic range. Thanks to its high sensitivity of up to ISO 25600, as well as significantly lower noise, you can now capture light and shadow in unprecedented clarity.

TruePic VI image processor

High image quality is supported by the TruePic VI image processor, the most advanced image processor from OLYMPUS. It renders natural images close to what is seen with the naked eye. Fine Detail Processing minimizes loss of resolution while preventing false colors or moiré, Real Color Technology accurately reproduces rich gradation colors, and Advanced Gradation Auto prevents colors from being washed out in highlights and being darkened in shadows.

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses

Built for the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the ultra-compact M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses inherit the long-admired qualities of ZUIKO lenses. Designed specially for digital cameras, these lenses enable light to travel in a near-straight path to the image sensor to optimize performance and ensure high-quality photos.

FAST AF

Even Faster. Even More Accurate. Capture the Instant with the World's Fastest* AF.

The shutter button responds so fast it's as if it already knows the instant you want to shoot. The FAST AF system represents the pinnacle of Olympus AF technologies. Further improvements in speed have achieved the world's fastest AF* that outperforms even phase difference AF systems. The performance of the tracking AF has also been greatly improved. With 3D tracking AF technology that follows a moving subject by detecting face, color and pattern, and by predicting its movement, the AF system can continue to focus on a subject that is moving across a wide area until it leaves the frame. This means that whether the subject is a person, animal, vehicle, or any other fast-moving object, you will never lose the instant. The new high-sensitivity image sensor delivers outstanding AF performance even in dark situations, and combined with the 35-point area AF that covers the entire screen, focusing is accurate in all situations. Capturing the moment is the true essence of photography and the OM-D's AF has been finely tuned for faster and more accurate focus. This advancement will provide you with more opportunities to take the photos that you want.

3D tracking AF

The OM-D utilizes a feature that can not only predict the movement of a subject when it is moving across the frame but also when it is moving forward and backward within the frame. The 3D tracking AF system then keeps the lens focused accurately on the subject even if it moves closer to or away from the camera. In the instant when focus is set, the face, color and pattern of the subject are detected. Once the autofocus locks onto the subject, it will continue to track the subject automatically until it leaves the frame.

35-point area AF

35 AF areas can be selected. Compared with phase difference autofocus, this is compatible with a broader range and enables more accurate pinpoint focusing. It is also possible to select an area consisting of a 3x3 group from the 35 areas.

AF at low light

The high sensitivity of the OM-D's sensor allows stable AF performance even in dark conditions. In combination with a high speed lens, it is possible to achieve further improvements to the AF under low intensity light. Thanks to the brightness of the electronic viewfinder, you can also focus on your subject through the viewfinder even in dark situations.

*Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses available as of February 8, 2012, when using the OLYMPUS M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens with the E-M5, based on OLYMPUS in-house measurement conditions

5-AXIS IS

The World's First* 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization

While most previous IS systems compensate for camera shake by addressing two kinds of movement along only 2 axes, the image stabilization system on the OM-D is the world's first*1 to compensate for 5 different types of camera shake. In addition to compensation for ordinary camera shake in 2 directions (pitch and yaw), it also provides compensation for camera shake in rolling and camera shake due to the up-down shift and left-right shift that is often caused during macro shooting. The sensor in the top of the camera instantly detects camera shake, and the newly developed 5-axis image stabilization unit provides up to 5 steps*2 of compensation. Additionally, the new control algorithm works to compensate for camera shake at low frequency, which is often caused when the camera is held for longer periods of time. It also stabilizes movies, even when shooting while walking. Because the IS system is built into the body, it is effective regardless of which lens is used. The OM-D's IS system helps you to focus on a subject, and because it is activated at the moment when the shutter button is half-way pressed*3, you can determine the photo composition while viewing a stabilized image. Get exactly the photo you wanted, even when shooting impulsively to capture an impromptu moment. The OM-D's IS system lets you concentrate fully on framing and capturing your shot.

New 5-axis IS unit

The new IS unit compensates for camera shake in 5 axis directions: (1) up-down (pitch), (2) left-right (yaw), (3) left-right horizontal shift, (4) up-down vertical shift, and (5) rolling camera shake. Compensation is provided for camera shake which could not be compensated with conventional 2-axis IS systems, including horizontal and vertical shift and rolling camera shake which is particularly noticeable in movies.

*1 Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses available as of February 8, 2012. Not including electronic image stabilization systems.

*2 Based on OLYMPUS in-house measurement conditions. The effects of the IS system vary depending on the type of lens used and the shooting conditions.

*3 When "Half Way Rls With IS" is set in the Custom menu.

Various Functions

DUST & SPLASH PROOF

Dependable OM-D Performance in Any Environment or Weather

The scenes which capture a photographer's imagination are often in nature. The OM-D's dust and splash proof construction supports nature photography as well as shooting in severe environments. The Olympus dust & splash proof construction has earned the complete trust of many photographers. Thanks to extensive use of ring-shaped seals throughout the body, the OM-D offers the same dust & splash proof durability as the E-5 within a compact and light-weight body. From normal shooting in the rain to more extreme environments, the OM-D lets you focus on shooting by protecting the camera against sand, dust, rain and splashes. As well as the camera body, the external flash, FL-LM2 (included), electronic zoom lens, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ and power battery holder, HLD-6 (optional) are also dust and splash proof so that the entire system offers a high level of durability, allowing you to use the camera's wide range of features anywhere. Whether you intend shooting on a rainy street, by a mountain waterfall or on a blustery day by the sea, you can carry the camera with you wherever you go and concentrate fully on framing the perfect shot. It is OM-D's dust & splash proof construction that lets you get the most out of its outstanding performance in a broad range of situations.

9.0 High Speed Sequential Shooting

The OM-D allows high speed sequential shooting at up to 9.0 frames per second. The newly developed high-speed readout image sensor and compact high-performance shutter as well as the high-speed TruePic VI image processor provide amazing sequential shooting speed. Thanks to the OM-D's 3D Tracking technology, you can now shoot up to 4.2 frames per second with tracking AF when shooting sports, animals or other subjects which are moving within the frame. With this function, you can be sure of capturing the instant that inspired you. The OM-D offers incredibly fast sequential shooting capabilities within a compact and lightweight body.

Tilting OLED Monitor / Touch Panel / Live Guide

Tilting OLED Monitor

The 3.0-inch tilting OLED monitor on the back of the body provides a wide range of color reproduction and high contrast levels to produce beautiful photographs that represent exactly the image you wanted to capture. The monitor can be tilted upward to 80 degrees and downward to 50 degrees, providing you with a high level of freedom and flexibility both for high-angle and low-angle shooting. Thanks to a screen that reduces reflections, the monitor also offers clear visibility even when shooting outdoors.

Touch Panel

The OM-D has a capacitive touch panel that supports superior photo-taking performance however the user wants. In addition to operations using the dials and buttons, by simply touching the panel with the fingertips, you can operate a wide range of functions intuitively. Whether focusing on the subject, changing shooting parameters, zooming in on an image you have already taken, or playing back images frame by frame, the panel responds instantly to the movement of the fingertips and allows the user to expertly utilize a variety of functions with ease.

Live Guide

The Live Guide allows the user to easily produce blurring of the background, expressions of movement, and other effects that are characteristic of an interchangeable lens camera. It can be easily and intuitively operated by selecting iAuto and moving the slide bar to produce exactly the image that is desired. The Live Guide can also be activated instantly in P/A/S/M modes by pressing the button*1. The live guide is a function that lets users easily make best use of the superior OM-D performance.

*1: Customizable functions

11 types of Art Filters

The original OLYMPUS Art Filters add artistic effects to photos and movies. These must-have features add style to your images and have been further improved for the OM-D. A Key Line Art Filter which enhances the edge lines of the image to make it look more like an illustration has been included and a total 11 types of Art Filters are selectable. With variations of the Cross Process and Dramatic Tone Art Filters and combinations of Art Effects, the OM-D offers a total of 78 effects. These filters can be applied to not only still photos but also movies, and because you can see the results through the viewfinder as you shoot, you can use these filters creatively to add a broad range of expressions to your photos.

5 types of Art Effects

The art effects add impressive creative looks to the Art Filters. The OM-D has 5 types of effects: Soft focus, Pin Hole, Art Frame, White Edges, and Starlight. Using these effects in combination with the Art Filters provides you with further inspiration to create outstanding images.

* Starlight effect is not applicable to movies, and not applied to Live View image.

Built-in art filters

Additional art effects

POP ART (I/II)

SOFT FOCUS/PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES/STARLIGHT

SOFT FOCUS

WHITE EDGES/STARLIGHT

PALE & LIGHT COLOR (I/II)

SOFT FOCUS/PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES

LIGHT TONE

ART FRAME

GRAINY FILM (I/II)

PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES

PIN HOLE (I/II/III)

ART FRAME

DIORAMA

ART FRAME

CROSS PROCESS (I/II)

SOFT FOCUS/PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES

GENTLE SEPIA

SOFT FOCUS/PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES

DRAMATIC TONE (I/II)

PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES/STARLIGHT

KEY LINE (I/II)

SOFT FOCUS/PIN HOLE/ART FRAME/WHITE EDGES/STARLIGHT

Full High Definition Movies

The OM-D supports full high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) for more beautiful movies. The superior definition performance of the OM-D produces a large improvement in movie quality. The built-in image stabilization system is able to compensate for camera shake at low frequency as well as rolling camera shake. Because the stabilization system compensates for these types of camera shake which often occur when the camera is gently moved, the OM-D offers powerful support for shooting movies while walking. A range of lenses can be used to make use of the distinctive expressive power of an interchangeable lens camera. The Art Filters and newly developed movie effects can also be used to incorporate a variety of expressive effects into movies that make them more fun. Additionally, high-quality stereo audio can be recorded in linear PCM format.

* Use of a Class 6 or higher SD card is recommended for recording movies.

* When the image stabilization system is used while shooting movies, the image will be recorded slightly magnified. In addition, the IS system may not be able to compensate for excessively large camera shake.

Art Filter Movies

Using the Art Filters allows you to create dramatic and distinctive movies. The filter effects can be checked on in the viewfinder and on the back monitor, making it possible to create a diverse range of expressions. Rather than merely taking movie footage, you can create movies that are bursting with style and expression. This is what makes the OM-D's movie functions so much fun to use.

* The frame rate, the recorded audio and the availability of Art Effects vary according to the movie format and the Art Filter in use.

One Shot Echo / Multi-Echo

The One shot echo and Multi-echo functions have been added to the effects that can be applied to your movies, allowing you to create lighthearted videos that have more fun in them. These two new functions generate an after-image effect that follows the movement of the subject. With one shot echo, the after-image is added to single frame at a fixed interval, while with multi-echo, multiple frames remain behind as the after image. You can apply these effects to easily create after-images in full high definition movies, an impressive effect which previously could only be done by using video editing software.

Built-in Stereo Microphone

The high-performance built-in stereo microphone enables you to shoot movies with high-definition sound. By selecting the "Wind noise reduction" function from the movie menu, you can reduce the noise caused by the wind when shooting. This makes it possible to shoot movies with clear audio. As the OM-D is also equipped with a "Recording volume" option, the sensitivity of the microphone can be set according to the distance from the subject.

i-Enhance Movies

The i-Enhance picture mode adds a sense of vivid realism to your photographs, and this feature can now be used for movies, too. By simply setting the shooting mode to "iAuto" or selecting "i-Enhance" as the picture mode, the camera will record the movie with the optimal colors and contrast for the subject, producing clear, vivid image quality that makes for exciting movies.

Live Bulb / Live Time

For bulb photography where the shutter is left open for continuous exposure over a long period of time, this function updates the image shown on the monitor at each set interval of time. Two settings are available: Live Bulb which keeps the shutter open while the release button is held down, and Live Time which opens the shutter the first time the release button is pressed and closes the shutter the second time the button is pressed. This function is effective at times such as when shooting fireworks, the night sky, or nighttime cityscapes.

Bracket Shooting

The Art Filter bracket allows the effects from multiple Art Filters to be used in a single image. By selecting multiple Art Filters when shooting, the effects of each of the filters can be applied to the image. You may find that applying multiple effects can produce unexpected but interesting results. This function also allows AE, ISO, white balance and flash bracket shooting.

Level Gauge

The bi-directional electronic level gauge supports both camera shift and camera tilt, and can be displayed on either the viewfinder or back monitor using the Live View. By taking advantage of this feature, you can shoot with stable framing when photographing a subject dead straight or if when shooting the horizon. Aperture and shutter speed as well as other key information can also be displayed at the same time that the level gauge is used.

Before Adjustment

Adjust the horizontal

AF with Eye Detection

The Eye Detection AF automatically focuses on the eyes of a human subject, and is a powerful tool for portrait photography. With improvements in accuracy, it is possible to detect the eyes easily even when taking a chest-up portrait. This function automatically focuses on the closest eye, or you can also select Left eye priority or Right eye priority to easily focus the camera on the eye of the subject you want to focus on.

Face Detection

Eye Detection

Digital Tele-converter

When assigned to the Fn1 button, the digital tele-converter function produces a telephoto effect which magnifies the center part of the image by two times. The excellent pixel interpolation performance of the TruePic VI image processor makes it possible to zoom while maintaining high image quality. Using this function allows a 75 - 300 mm super-telephoto lens to provide a zooming range equivalent to 1200 mm on 35 mm camera lenses, making it easy to achieve high magnification.

Normal Shooting

Degital Teleconverter Shooting

i-Enhance

The OM-D includes the i-Enhance picture mode which vividly reproduces the sense of presence when the image is taken. This function is selected automatically when "iAuto" is selected. It can also be selected from other picture modes. The camera selects the optimal color and contrast in order to provide clear, vivid, and exciting image quality that highlights the subject.

Normal Shooting

i-Finish image

Multiple Exposure

Multiple exposure shooting allows two images to be combined while checking the results on the Live View. This function can be used to easily create surreal images. The first image is displayed semi-translucent as the overlaying image is shot, so you can effortlessly determine the composition. Because two images can be superimposed at one time, by repeating this process it is possible to superimpose any number of images.

3D Photography

Impressive 3D images can be taken by simply following the guide instructions. Select "3D" for the scene mode, and take two images following the guide displayed on the back monitor using the Live View. The camera will then automatically create and save a 3D file (MPO format). The created image can be shown on a TV or PC that has a 3D display function. The camera also supports a 3D lens.

* 3D pictures can be viewed on a 3D-compatible PC or TV by playing them back on the camera via an HDMI connection or USB connection, or by playing them back from an SD card.

Normal Shooting

3D Photo Shooting

Shooting Modes

In addition to the "P/A/S/M modes", the shooting modes also include iAuto, in which the camera automatically selects one out of a total of 42 types of settings, and SCN, which consists of 23 different scene modes. With the e-Portrait scene mode, the image is processed to produce a bright, smooth effect for the subject's skin, resulting in a beautiful portrait photograph.